Glasgow Airport’s 20 MW Solar Farm Readies for Take Off

Scotland is set to welcome its largest airport-based solar farm, for which, the development phase has reached completion and construction has kicked off. The Glasgow Airport solar farm will be built in a phased manner. The development of the 20 MW array with UK-based Zestec Renewable Energy has been successfully completed already.

In unison with Ikigai Group, which advises on energy transition and aids project development, Glasgow Airport, has announced the financial close of the project. The ground-mount solar farm extends to an area of about 40 acres and boasts an investment of £18.5 million. The project is being established close to Barnsford Road on land owned by the Glasgow Airport.

The solar farm will cater to the needs of the current and future energy demands of the airport and neighbouring businesses, which shall have access to low-cost green energy by way of Power Purchase Agreements (PPA). Zestec will own as well as operate the farm.

While the construction will continue over the following months, the first phase is slated for commissioning in 2024.

Ronald Leitch, Operations Director, Gloasgow Airport, stated, “The development of the solar farm marks a key milestone in our sustainability journey by giving the airport the ability to generate clean energy on-site. “This will advance our plans to decarbonise our own operations while supporting the net zero ambitions of our airport partners and neighbours. Importantly, it also creates the foundation to turn the airport into an energy hub and allows us to progress our plans to support zero emission flight.”

Zestec, which will be responsible for the development, encompassing construction, procurement and operation of the solar farm, was selected by way of a tender process led by Ikigai.

Chief Operating Officer of Zestec, Toby Smith said, “We are excited to include this solar plant in our growing family of behind-the-meter solutions designed to help Glasgow Airport decarbonise its operations.

In order to decarbonize operations and meet massive energy needs, airports around the world are employing renewable energy sources. Setting sights on 100% renewable energy, Newcastle Airport in New South Wales also joined hands with Flow Power earlier in the year. Oman Airports are also in the process of establishing 26 MW of cumulative solar projects.

Back home in India, Cochin International Airport in Kerala became the first airport in the world to go completely solar. The Airports Authority of India also announced the gigantic goal in March 2023 of powering all its airports with renewable energy by 2024.